chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon chased leader, challenged inside final furlong, drifted left and stayed on to lead narrowly final 75 yards, held on
led, ridden 2f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, headed narrowly final 75 yards, kept on
raced keenly, in touch on outside, outpaced when hung left 2f out, soon ridden, weakened over 1f out
chased leaders in rear, ridden and effort on inside 2f out, stayed on to chase leading pair final furlong, no impression
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out, no impression
pressed leader on inside, ridden over 2f out, soon lost place, no extra
At first sight, Shostakovich looks to have every chance of reversing recent form with EVEN STEVENS on better terms. Only a head separated them over C&D on New Year's Day but the latter's performance was all the more meritorious given he was slowly away. With a clean break from the stalls here, Dandy Nicholls' charge can continue his winning ways. It's difficult to see any of the remainder troubling the principals but Fred Willetts won nicely over 7f here last week and the lightly raced Karate is an unknown on this surface.
Fred Willetts (IRE) 15-8 (9-4) Tracked leading pair, switched outside to challenge and ridden when rider dropped whip over 2f out, led inside final 2f, driven clear over 1f out, comfortably, won at Southwell 7f 3yo clm stks (6) fbs beating So Is She (8-6) by 7l, 3 ran.
Il Battista 5-2 (9-0) Went right start, led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 5, 6l behind Talley Close (9-3) at Lingfield 7f cond stks (3) pol in Nov.
Its You Again 1-2fav (8-9) Made all, ridden over 1f out, edged left and stayed on inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 6f 2yo mdn auc stks (6) pol in Dec beating Justbookie Dot Com (8-11) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Shostakovich (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Pressed leader, led after 2f, ridden well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, held towards finish, 2nd of 5, hd behind Even Stevens (9-3) at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs.
Even Stevens 8-13fav (9-3) Chased leaders, outpaced 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, held on towards finish, won at Southwell 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) fbs beating Shostakovich (9-9) by hd, 5 ran.
Karate (IRE) 13-2 (9-7) Hampered start, led narrowly and keen, headed well over 2f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 8, 29l behind Bachelor Knight (8-5) at Ayr 6f 2yo hcp 0-75 (5) hvy in Oct.